Method and apparatus for interconversion of heat and electricity



Apnl 21, 1953 F. R. BICHOWSKY 2,635,431

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERCONVERSION OF HEAT AND ELECTRICITY Filed Dec. 22, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l TEMPERATURE s m a r ENTROPY i 5 EF j A B c D I5 IS 15 A IT IT a x X\ p 21, 1953 F. R. BICHOWSKY 2,635,431

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERCONVERSION OF HEAT AND ELECTRICITY Filed Dec. 22, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

F3 O'A R.

April 21, 1953 BICHQWSKY 2,635,431

I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERCONVERSION OF HEAT AND ELECTRICITY Filed Dec. 22,1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

April 21, 1953 R BICHOWSKY 2,635,431

F. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERCONVERSION OF HEAT AND ELECTRICITY Filed Dec. 22. 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

portion of the cycle.

the reverse mode.

Patented Apr. 21, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to methods and means for the reversible inter-conversion of electricity and heat.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 357,039, filed September 16, 1940, and of my application Serial No. 537,857, filed May 29, 1944, now abandoned.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for the performance of the reversible thermodynamic cycle to the temperature TL wherein heat is absorbed in one portion of the cycle and emitted in a second portion; wherein electric energy is absorbed or produced in a third It is an advantage of a usefully employed to produce refrigeration or heating or both refrigeration and heating or for the production of electricity from heat.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent the following description.

vention;

- Fig. 2 shows in partial cross-section an apparatus in which the invention may be carried out;

Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show diagrammatically stages of the thermodynamic cycle shown in F1 1;

iig. a shows in diagrammatic cross-section a second embodiment of the invention; V

Fig. 5 shows in cross-section a third and at present preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically in elevation a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. '7 shows in diagrammatic cross-section a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 shows in diagrammatic cross-section a sixth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 shows in perspective a seventh embodiment of the invention; and

present preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings: Fig. 1 shows on a temperature-entropy chart the successive entropies and temperatures of an known in the art as a Carnot cycle. A Carnot cycle can be operated in the direct mode, or in In the direct mode starting with the element at the state a, namely at the METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERCON- VERSION OF HEAT AND ELECTRICITY Francis R. Bichowsky, Alexandria, Va.

Application December 22, 1949, Serial No. 134,394

14 Claims. (01. 62--1) to the state b.

. mally to the state a.

state to repeat the cycle. I fact in thermodynamics that a cycle so described thBImOdYIIamiC cycle in accordance 71th thls 25 will convert a portion of the heat absorbed in step 1 into work. The amount of this work will ment firstly (Step 1) changes reversibly its entropy at the constant temperature T2, arriving at the state b, characterized by the temperature T2 and the entropy B2. In the course of this isothermal process, heat will be absorbed in the amount T2(S2S1) From the state b, the element secondly (Step 2) changes its temperature isentropically (adiabatically), that is without change of entropy, from the temperature T2 Since this process is adiabatic no heat will be lost in the change. The element is now at the temperature T1, and at the entropy S2 characterizing state 0. Thirdly (Step 3), the element now at state 0 changes its entropy thermodynamic 37 Of this Class that 1t may be from S2 to S1, its temperature remaining constant at T1. In the course of this change heat will be given out to the amount T1(S1-S2). Fourthly (Step 4) the element now at state (1 characterized by the temperature T1, and entropy S1, is changed to those sk in the durmg the course of adiabatically from the state (1 to the state a. No

heat is either absorbed or given out in this proc- Referr ng HOW to the drawinga ess. The element now at the state a is in the Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the successive It is an elementary changes of temperature and entropy m the A Carnot cycle, since each step is reversible,

7 can be reversed; that is to say the steps can be the appa s according to 2 at vanous traversed in the opposite order. Such a manner of traversing the cycle is called the reverse mode. Step 11'.-Starting with the element in state d, the entropy is increased from S1 to S2 at constan' temperature T1 until state 0 is reached. m) Step 2r.-Starting with the element in state a it is allowed to heat adiabatically from T1 to T2 Step 3T.Starting with the state b, the entropy of the element is reduced from S2 to S1 isother- Step 4T.Starting with the element in state a, it is adiabatically cooled from T2 to T1 to the state (1, thus closing the cycle.

In the reverse mode of operating, the element Fig. 10 shows in perspe an elghth and at will absorb heat at the lower temperature T1 to the amount T1(S1 S2) and will give out heat at the temperature T2 to the amount T2(S1S2) Since heat is absorbed at a lower temperature and discharged at a higher temperature, appaelement of the apparatus undergoing what is ratus in which the changes of state are in accord with the Carnot cycle may be used as a refrigerator, or since it discharges heat at a high ternperature, it may be used as a heat pump, discharging at the high temperature the amount or temperature T2 and with the entropy S1, the ele- 5.; heat, T2(S1-S2 Operating either as a heat pump or as a refrigerator, work must be done on the apparatus to the amount (Ta-T1) (S2S1).

Operating in accordance with the direct mode, a portion of the heat absorbed will be converted into work. Operating in accordance with the reverse mode, work will be converted into heat. The cycle thus allows the inter-conversion of heat and work.

It is proven in thermodynamics that the Carnot cycle is the most efiicient possible cycle for the inter-conversion of heat and work. Nevertheless, in the prior art, no apparatus is available for carrying out a Carnot cycle on a practical scale. One of the purposes of this invention is to provide apparatus for carrying out a Carnot cycle on a practical scale.

Referring now to Fig. 2 of the drawing, wherein is shown an element capable of undergoing the reversible changes of entropy and temperature necessary to carry out the Carnot cycle, I designates a reversible voltaic cell, shown partly in section. The voltaic cell comprises a thin cuplike shell 2 which may be of metal but preferably is of resin or plastic. This shell is separated by a porous partition 3 which may be of paper, asbestos or cloth or similar materials into two compartments 4 and I. One of the compartments 6 so formed contains a paste 5 of fine crystals of lead chloride impregnated with an electrolyte which may be a solution of hydro- I2 which serves to prevent loss of electrolyte and holds the elements in their proper positions. The cell is shown enclosed in a larger vessel [3 containing a strong solution of antifreeze, e. g. methyl alcohol, sodium chloride, or the like in water in the space I4. I5 is a source of or user of electricity such as a generator, motor or primary or secondary battery.

It current is passed through the cell in the positive direction, i. e. so that electrons enter the cell through the lead Iii, and leave the cell through the lead II the following changes will take place. Lead (Pb) from the plate 6 will go into solution forming lead ion (Pb++)- which will react with hydrochloric acid (HCl) producing lead chloride '(PbClz) in paste 5. On the other side of the partition silver chloride (AgCl) of paste 9 will disappear and silver (Ag) will deposit on the silver electrode 8 and chloride ion ('01-) will be formed. The net chemical reaction so produced when current is flowing in the positive direction will be Pb+2AgCl- 2Ag+PbClz. If current is passed through the. cell in the Opposite or negative direction, electrons entering the lead ['1 and leaving the lead ID, the reverse action will take place: silver will go into solution, lead chloride will be used up and silver chloride and lead will be formed. The net chemical reaction of the cell (current flowing in the negative direction) will be 2Ag+PbC12- 2AgC1|Pb. The process. occurring in the cell is thus reversible. Experiments show that this process is accompanied by a relatively large change in entropy. If two Faradays of electricity are passed through the cell in the positive direction, there will be increase in entropy AS of +8.32 entropy units. If

the cell is operated in the negative direction, there will be a decrease in entropy of 8.32 entropy units. Since the process in the cell is reversible, the heat absorbed operating in the positive direction will be TAS and the heat given out when the cell operates in the reverse direction will be TAS.

Step 1r.-Referring now to Fig. 3, starting with the cell I at the temperature of 275 K., in thermal contact with a body to be cooled which may be, as shown in Fig. 3A., brine or other refrigerant delivered into the space I4 through valve l6; electrons are allowed to flow via lead It and reversing switch I? to a means for utilizing electricity l5 which may be a storage cell, thence via the lead II back into the cell I. This may be accomplished by closing the reversing switch I1. In the course of flow of electricity in this direction, the direct reaction will take place, the entropy will increase to the amount of +4.16 entropy units per Faraday of current flowing and heat to the amount of 4.16X275:l144 calories will flow from the refrigerant I4 to the cell I, thus cooling the refrigerant. In order that this process may be done at a desired constant temperature the valves I6 and [8 are opened allowing refrigerant to enter by the valve [6 and leave by the valve I8 of a desired rate. This accomplishes the change of state from d c of Fi 1.

Step 2r.-If now the refrigerant is removed from space I4 and replaced by an insulator, which may be air or vacuum as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3B, and the valves I6 and I8 are closed and the switch I! is reversed so that electrons which previously entered the lead II, now enter the lead ill, the continuing flow of current in reverse direction will produce heat in the cell I. Since cell i is insulated, the heat produced will cause the temperature of cell I to rise to a desired temperature T2. This will accomplish the adiabatic change from c to b shown as the second reversing step in Fig. 1.

Step lira-When the temperature of cell l has reached T2, say 300 K, the valves I5 and I8 are opened, thus allowing a coolant to be put in heat exchange relation with cell l as shown in Fig. 3C. Coolant is allowed to flow through the valves [6 and I8 at approximately constant temperature until the state has changed from b to a. During the process heat to the amount of calories will flow from cell I to the coolant thus completing Step 31'.

Step 4r.The coolant is now drained from the vessel I3 through the valve I 8 and replaced by an insulator which may be air or vacuum as shown. The reversing switch I! is now reversed so that the electrons which previously entered the cell I through the lead ti) now enter the cell I through the lead II. The process is continued until the cell i changes from state a to state 01 as shown in Fig. 3D. There will be no flow of heat during this process since cell I is insulated but the temperature of cell i will fall to the temperature and entropy corresponding to the state (2. In the course of the steps described a reversible Carnot cycle will be accomplished. The refrigerant in Step 1 will be cooled still further, the coolant in Step 3 will be heated and work will be done by the flow or electricity during the Steps 3 and 4 while the battery IE will be recharged at a lower voltage during Steps 1 and 2. If the temperature of cell i was at 27 C. and that of the refrigerant and coolant approximately at the same temperature, the amount of refrigerating effect in Step 1. will be -1143 calories, the amount of heating effect during Step 3 will be 1247 calories. The amount of work done on the battery during Steps 1 and 2 will be 11,200 calories; the amount of work done on the battery during Steps 3 and 4 will be 11,300. The difference or net work will be 100 calories. The ratio of the net work done to the refrigerating effect in Step 1 will be 1143/100. Since the Carnot cycle is the most efficient cycle possible, the ratio of the net work done to the heat transferred which is the work ratio of the cycle will be the highest possible. Such a cycle, therefore, is the most eflicient of all refrigerating cycles. It is also the most efficient heat pump, transferring heat from the temperatures T1. to T2 with the minimum expenditure of work.

Referring now to Fig. 4. In operating with a single cell I in accordance with the manner illustrated in Fig. 3, the useful effect, refrigeration, power or heat produced is intermittent which may be a disadvantage in some applications, furthermore the voltage applied to the cell I is considerable, being approximately half a volt at room temperature. In the mode of operation and embodiment of invention shown in Fig. 4, useful effect is nearly continuous and the voltage which must be applied to the two cells I and IA is very much reduced. In Fig. 4 two identical cells I and IA similar to that shown in Fig. 2 are employed. In this embodiment which in the illustrative example is described for the case where the useful effect is refrigeration the two jackets I3 and I3A are insulated with the sheaths I9 and ISA. The cells are so connected that current entering cell I through the lead H connected to a lead electrode leave the cell I through the lead III which is connected (see Fig. 2) to a silver electrode. The current leaving the cell I by lead It will flow by the wire and will enter cell IA through the lead IDA connected to a silver electrode, and leave the cell IA by the lead IIA connected to a lead electrode. Since like electrodes are connected the cells will be said to buck each other and if the cells are at the same temperature no current will flow if no external source of voltage is applied. By connecting a source of current which may be battery I5 through the reversing switch IT, a small voltage may be applied, in which condition current will flow through the cells in such a way that while cell I is heating, cell IA will be cooling and while cell I is cooling, cell IA will be heating. Since the twocells buck each other, only the difference of voltage between the two cells need be applied by the source I5.

Step 1r.-Consider now the cell I. During the time that it is cooling, namely during the time cell I is changing from state (1 to state 0 (see Fig. 1) with the valve 31A closed the four-way valve 2I may be adjusted so that a refrigerant flows only through the pipe 22, the pump 23, the pipe 24, the chamber I4, the pipes and 26, and the heat exchanger 27. During this period the cell IA will be heating. At the same time a coolant may be caused to circulate by pump 28 through the pipe 29, the chamber I4A, the pipe 38, the heat exchanger 3I and back via pipe 32, valve 2| and pipe 33 to the pump 28. In this arrangement heat will leave the system through the exchanger 3|, refrigeration will be produced by heat entering the system by the exchanger 21.

Step 2r.-The pumps 23 and 28 are now stopped solids.

and the reversing switch I! will be adjusted so the current will flow through cell I and cell IA in a reverse manner. Since the jackets I3 and I3A are insulated no heat will be lost or gained by cells I and IA during this step. The flow of electricity will be continued until the cells reach the desired temperatures.

Step 3r.At the desired temperatures the fourway valve 2! is reversed, valve 31A opened and valve 3! closed so that the coolant will flow only from the pump 23 by the pipe 24 through jacket I3, pipes 36 and 32, heat exchanger 3|, valve 2I and pipe 22, thus closing the cooling circuit. During the time of flow, heat will be extracted by means of the heat exchanger 27. At the same time the refrigerant will flow by the pump 28 through the pipe 29, through the chamber I4A, the pipes 34, the valve 31A, and the pipe 35, back through heat exchanger 21, valve 2| and pipe 33-thus completing the circuit. As result of the flow of refrigerant through the jacket I3A heat will be transferred from cell IA to the refrigerant producing a useful refrigerating effect at the heat exchanger 21. This process is continued until the desired refrigerating effect has been attained in the cell IA, and the desired heating ef fect has been attained in cell I.

Step 4r.--At the end of Step 3r cell I is at a high temperature and is discharging heat to the outside via the heat exchanger 3|, while cell IA is at a low temperature producing refrigeration via the heat exchanger 21. The switch I1 is now reversed and the pumps 23 and 28 are stopped. Because of the changed direction of the current in the cells I and IA, cell I will cool down and cell. IA will heat up. Since the flow has stopped and the cells are insulated no heat will be lost by this step, and the cells will be returned to their initial condition.

With the particular embodiment shown in Fig. 4, it is preferable to have the refrigerant and coolant of the same chemical composition because the fluid once used as a refrigerant is later used as a coolant. It is an advantage of this embodiment that either one cell or the other is cooling the greater portion of the time and not one-fourth of the time as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

In the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4 both the reactants and products of the cell reaction are They are lead, lead chloride, silver and silver chloride. The cell reaction may, however, be between any pair of reactants, solid or liquid or gas, that can undergo in a voltaic cell a reversible electrochemical reaction characterized by a large change of entropy. Among these reactions are copper with iodine to form cuprous iodide and lead oxide with sulfuric acid to form lead sulfate.

Particularly advantageous are the class of reversible electrochemical reactions involving liquids and gases only. If reactions of this class are used the process of interconversion of heat and electricity can be made continuous.

Fig. 5 shows two identical voltaic cells 38 and 39. The walls 40 and M of the cells may be of glass or plastic, or any other insulating material. Supported in the cells by lead wires 42 and 43 are black platiniz-ed electrodes 44 and 45, and bright electrodes 46 and 47. These electrodes are supported by lead wires 48 and 49 which in the embodiment shown are continuous. Permeable partitions 50 and 5! may be provided. Leading out of the two cells are long narrow connecting tubes 52 and 53. The bottoms of the two cells are similarly connected by two tubes 64 and 55. A source of direct current shown as a primary cell is connected to the lead wires 42 and 43 by the wires 56 and 5'1. The insides of both cells are filled with concentrated hydrochloric acid to the level 58. The two cells are mounted on either side of a thermally insulated partition 55 which divides the surroundings into a hot space which may be the outside of a refrigerator cabinet, and into a cold space which may be the inside of a refrigerator cabinet. Fins or other heat exchange devices (not shown) may be provided to facilitate the transfer of heat into or out of the cells 38 and 39.

On passing a current through the cells so that the electrons enter by the wire 42' and leave by the wire 43 electrochemical reactions will occur on the electrodes. Designating electrons by the symbol the reaction occurring on the black electrode 44 will be 2-3-l-2H+ H2(gas), hydrogen gas will be given off. On the bright electrode 46 the reaction will be chlorine gas being given on. On the bright electrode i? the reaction will be 2+Cl2=2Cl-, chlorine gas being taken up. On the black electrode 45 the reaction will be Hz=2H++2. The gross reaction in cell 38 being The entropy change in this reaction is about 6.0 per mol of hydrochloric acid electrolyzed. The chlorine gas formed at the bright electrode 46 will how by way of pipe 53 into cell 39 where it will be in part dissolved and will be in contact with" the bright electrode ll. The hydrogen gas formed at the black electrode Ml will flow by way of pipe 52 into cell 39 where it will in part dissolve and will be in contact with the black electrode 45.

In cell 39 the chlorine and hydrogen will respectively lose and gain an electron forming hydrochloric acid in solution, the gross reaction being Clz(gas)+Hz(gas)=2HCl(Aq). The hydrochloric acid formed will flow by pipe 54 to cell 38, maintaining the concentration in that cell constant, the water in the form of a weak solution returning by pipe to cell 39. The net result of the flow of electrons will b the-absorption of heat (refrigeration) in cell 38, the loss of heat (heating) in cell 39, the flow of hydrogen and chlorine from cell 38 to 39 and the flow of hydrochloric acid and water from cell 39 to 38. This process will continue as long as the current flows, since the flow of chlorine and hydrogen and of hydrochloric acid will keep the concentrations in the two cells the same at all times.

As herebefore described, the process occurring in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is substantially that of a Carnot cycle operating in the reverse mode. The process occurring in cell 38 of Fig. 5 corresponds to the step c to cl of Fig. 1. The substantially adiabatic process occurring in tubes 53 and 52 corresponds to the step c to b in Fig. 1. The process occurring in cell 39 corresponds to the step b to a in Fig. 1. Th process occurring in tubes 54 and 55 corresponds to the step a to d of Fig. 1.

The embodiment may also be operated in the direct mode. If in Fig. 5 the primary cell i5 is removed and replaced by a power using device such as an elmtric motor, and if a source heat (not shown) is provided to maintain the hot space at a high temperature, and if means (not shown) are provided to remove heat from the cold space, the apparatus will operate as a Carnot cycle of the direct mode, heat being absorbed by the cell 39 and emitted by the cell 38. In the course of this process electrons will flow from cells 39 via the lead wires 48 and 49 into the cell 38 and will leave that cell via the lead wire 42 and via the wire 56 will pass through the motor or other energy absorbing device producing power and will be returned via the wire 51 and lead 43 to the cell 39. The cycle then will correspond to a Carnot cycle of the direct mode, heat being in part converted continuously into electricity. The embodiment operating in this mode thus serves as a means for continuously generating electric current at the expenditure of heat.

Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically two sets of cells 5%! and 6! and 62 and 63. Each of these cells is substantially identical with the cells 38 and 39 cfFig. 5. The two pairs of cells are connected by wires 54 and 65 in such a way as to buck each other. There is provided on cell 63 a source of heat shown diagrammatically as a burner 66, and there is provided a means of cooling cell 62, shown diagrammatically as a fan 51. Under these conditions the combination of cells 62 and 53 will operate in the direct mode and serve as a source of electricity. The combination of cells may therefore serve in place of the battery :5 in Fig. 5 as a power source to drive the combination of cells 69 and 5! operating in the reverse mode. Driven in this way by the electrical energy producedin cells 52 and 63, cell Eli will absorb heat from the surroundings and cell 6| Will discard heat to the surroundings. Cell -59 may therefore serve as a source of refrigeration or cooling the space 68. It is convenient to interpose. a heat insulating wall it between the cold space 58 and the hot space 59. The combination of four cells Bil, iii, 82 and $3 serves as a heat operated refrigerating device of very high efilciency and low cost. For example, if the cell E3 is kept 260 F. and the cell 52 at F. and cell 6| is kept at 106 F., cell 653 will absorb heat down to the temperature of about 10 F. Ill is an insulated partition between the cells 60 and 6! similar to the partition 59 in the apparatus of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows diagrammatically another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is particularly adaptable for electrochemical reaction wherein one of the products of the electrochemical reaction is gaseous and the other is liquid. The example of this class of'reaction is the reaction This is written above in accordance with the electrochemists convention which shows only the substances in the equation which undergo change in the electrochemical process.

In the embodiment of Fig. 7 this reaction is carried out in a cell H provided with a black platinized electrode 72 and a bright inert elec trode 13. The cell ll may be provided with a permeable partition 74 thepurpose of which is to partially keep the materials formed at electrodes l2 and l3 from intermixing. The cell ii is filled with a strong solution of some ferrous salt dissolved in a concentrated acid. For example, cell it may be filled with a strong solution of ferrous sulfate dissolved in sulphuric acid solution. If now a current is passed through the cell by the leads l5 and 76 from a source l5 in such a direction that electrons enter the black electrode 12 and leave by the bright electrode 73, hydrogen gas will be evolved at the surface of electrode 72 and ferrous ion will be oxidized to ferric ion on the surface of the bright electrode 13. This reaction involves a large increase of entropy and therefore heat will be absorbed from the surroundings of cell H. The hydrogen gas formed on electrode i2 will bubble up the narrow tube 71 into the upper cell 18. The passage of the bubbles of gas through tube 1! will cause a thermosyphon action, the liquid in cells II and 13 flowing from cell ll through tube ll to cell l8 and backward through the connecting tube 19 to cell H. Cell 18 is identical in structure to cell ii and is provided with a black electrode 80 and a bright electrode 8|. These electrodes are connected with leads, elec trode 12 being directly connected with electrode 88 by the wire 15 and electrode 8| being connected by the wire 82, the source of electricity l5 which may be a primary battery and the wire it to electrode l3. Because the two cells are connected so as to buck each other, hydrogen gas bubbling into the cell 18 through the tube 7? will be absorbed by th platinized black electrode lit and will be oxidized to hydrogen ion, while the ferric ion entering cell 18 (bubbling up) through the tube T! will be reduced on the bright electrode 81 to ferrous ion. The products of these two electrode reactions namely acid and ferrous ion will flow by the tube 73 back into cell ll, there to begin the cycle again. Since both cells are filled completely with liquid, a reserve reservoir 83 may be provided to take up any expansion or contraction of the fluids: the level of the liquid in the reservoir being at 84. Though the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 7 is very simple and useful for certain purposes, it is found that the refrigeration effect which is about for the usual concentrations is insuflicient for some purposes. To increase the effect, two or more units each similar to Fig. '7, may be employed in a cascade as shown in Fig. 8.

The cascade of two units and 86, each similar to the unit in Fig. 7, is arranged so that heat given off by unit 85 will flow by some heat conducting means 31 from cell 88 to the heat absorbing cell 85. In this way the temperature of cell 98 may be retained at -l0 C., the cells 88 and 85 being in heat exchange relations, may have the temperature 20 0., while the cell 9| may have the temperature 50 C. In this way the heat will be pumped up a temperature gradient of 30 in unit 85 and another 30 in unit 85 and by adding suiiicient units in cascade arrangement may be discarded at any temperature.

It is characteristic of the embodiments shown in Figs. l, 5, 6 and 7, that the electromotive force necessary to operate the cells is small, in many cases being about a tenth of a volt. This may be a disadvantage because of the large leads required to conduct reasonable currents through the cells at such low voltages. It is therefore usually of advantage to connect several of the double units in series as shown in perspective in Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 shows four cells 92, 93, S4 and 95 which may be of the type disclosed in connection with Fig. 5. Each of the cells contains a bright electrode and an electrode coated with platinum black. These electrodes can be placed in any suitable manner but conveniently they'may each form a wall 96, 97, 98, 99, If"? and llll of the cells. The electrodes 96 and 99 are coated with platinum black on the inside surface. The electrodes 98 and HH are left bright on their inside surfaces, while electrodes 9'1 and 88 each conveniently form a septum separating cells 92 from 93 and 94 from 95. These septa 9'! and I00 which must be made of electrically conducting material, are left bright on the sides facing into the cells 92 and and are platinized on the sides facing into the cells 93 and 94. Two pipes Hi2 and W3 connect tops of cells 93 and 94. These pipes perform the function of the tubes 52 and 53 of Fig. 5. Similarly pipes Hi l and H35 connect the tops of cells 92 and 95. The bottoms of cells 92 and 95 are connected by a pair of pipes let and IE2, only partially shown in this drawing. Similarly, the bottoms of cells 93 and 94 are connected by two pipes analogous in function to the tubes 54 and 55 of Fig. 5. These pipes are not shown in the Fig. 9. All of the ce. s are filled with strong hydrochloric acid up to the top. A source of electricity shown diagrammatically as a primary battery I5 is connected by the wires 58 and [B9 to the electrodes (98 and till). A connecting wire H0 connects electrodes 96 and 99. When current is allowed to flow, heat will be absorbed by cells 92 and 93 while heat will be given off by cells a": and 9.). An insulating septum or merely an open space, as shown, may be placed between the heat absorbing and heat emitting cells. Because cells 92 and 93 are connected in series, a voltage drop across the two cells is twice that accross either cell separately. Similarly, the voltage drop across cells 94 and 95 is twice that of either cell separately. By adding further cells in series the voltage drop across the combination of cells may be made any desired amount. In practice it i desirable to have a voltage drop across the combination of cells of about two volts. Thus in usual construction ten or twenty units will be used in series in place of the two shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 10 shows in perspective the embodiment of the invention at present preferred. This embodiment is similar to that shown in Fig. 9. The partition Ill, shown in part, which may be part of the wall of a refrigerator separates the space into two parts, a hot zone to the left, and a cold zone which may be the inside of a refrigerator to the right. The box I l2 in part cut away to show the internal construction is separated into a series of cells H3, H4. and H5 by means of partitions H6, H7 and H8. These partitions are of metal, one side being of bright platinum, and the other side blackened by carbon black. These partitions thus form the electrodes in a way substantially shown in Fig. 9. Separators may be used but are not shown in the drawing. These electrodes extend from the, top to the bottom of the box l l2, but do not necessarily fit the box tightly, allowing a certain seepage of electrolyte which stands to the level l3l. The top parts of the separating plates preferably fit tightly as it is disadvantageous to allow leakage of gas from cell to cell. The end plates I20 and l2l are of metal and on the inside treated in such a way as to form the end electrodes of the series of cells H3, H4 and H5.

The box H2 communicates with a similar box I22 in the cold zone by means of a series of channels which may be similar to pipes [82-401 as shown in Fig. 9 or the channels may be formed by corrugating the plates l23, i24, I25 and I26. The drawings show only the corrugation on 126 but [23, i24 and I25 may be corrugated similarly. The spaces between plates H5 and [25 and between 23 and i2 4 are shown open in order to make the construction clear but, in fact, cover plates will be provided. The whole construction of cells and accompanying passages being hermetically sealed from the outside. The channels formed between the corrugated plates I25 and 12%, lead into the top of the box I22, while the passages formed between the corrugated plates I23 and 124 lead to the bottom of box I22. The internal construction of the cells contained in box i2'2 is not shown but is substantially identical to that shown for the box H2. There may lead out of the box I22 a series of channels formed between corrugated plates I27 and 128 which plates are so bent as to form a loop. The space within the loop may serve as the freezing compartment of the refrigerator. Electrolyte which may be hydrochloric acid is placed in the cell combination filling it to the level 131. The back plates (not shown) of box H2 and 22 may be connected together electrically by leads (not shown). The front plate I29 of the box I22 may be provided with a lead l3ll. A source of direct current (not shown) is provided and connected to the leads He and I30 so the current will flow through the series of cells in the manner heretofore described.

While the mode of operation of the specific apparatus illustrated has been described, my method broadly comprises the interconversion of heat and electricity by carrying out the steps of the Carnot cycle by means of a reversible electrochemical reaction.

Other modes of applying a principle of this invention may be employed instead of those illustrated; changes being made as regards the means and processes herein disclosed, provided those stated by the following claims be employed.

I claim:

1. The method for the interconversion of heat and electricity by carrying out the steps of the Carnot cycle by means of a reversible electrochemical reaction comprising the steps of carrying out a reversible electrochemical reaction in one direction in a voltaic cell, transferring heat between said cell and a body, cooperatively carrying out said electrochemical reaction in the reverse direction in a second intercommunicating voltaic cell and transferring heat in the opposite direction between said second cell and a second body.

2. The process for the interconversion of heat and electricity comprising carrying out a reversible electrochemical reaction accompanied by a change in entropy in one direction in a voltaic cell, carrying out the reverse of said electrochemical reaction in a second voltaic intercommunicating cell at a lower temperature than in the first cell, passing electricity through said cells and transferring heat between at least one of said cells and a body.

3. The process for interconversion of electricity and heat comprising flowing electricity through a voltaic cell whereby a reversible electrochemical reaction characterized by a change of entropy is induced in an initial direction, transferring heat between said cell and a body, flowing electricity through a second intercommunicating voltaic cell whereby said reversible reaction is induced in the reverse direction, and transferring heat between said second cell and a second body.

4. The process of converting heat into electricity which comprises transferring at a higher temperature heat into a voltaic cell wherein a reversible electrochemical reaction occurs in such a direction as to absorb heat, said reaction being accompanied by passage of electric current through said cell in an initial direction and at a higher electric potential, at a lower temperature transferring heat out of a second intercommunicating voltaic cell wherein said reversible electrochemical reaction occurs in the reverse direction so as to give out heat, said reaction being accompanied by passage of electric current in the reverse of said initial direction at a lower electrical potential and utilizing the difference of electric potential.

5. Method for producing refrigeration which comprises the steps of passing an electric current through a voltaic cell in which a reversible electrochemical reaction occurs on passage of said current in such a direction as to absorb heat from a body to be cooled, and passing an electric current through a second intercommunicating voltaic cell in which said reversible electrochemical reaction occurs in the reverse direction in such a way as to produce heat, and transferring said heat at an elevated temperature from said second cell.

6. The process for absorbing heat at a low temperature and emitting heat at an elevated temperature, comprising the steps of absorbing heat at the lower temperature in an electrochemical cell in which a reversible reaction takes place in a primary direction accompanied by the passage of electricity and transferring heat from a second intercommunicating electrochemical cell wherein the reverse of said primary reaction ocours on the passage of electricity.

7. Apparatus for interconversion of heat and electricity comprising a first voltaic cell wherein on flow of electric current a reversible electrochemical reaction takes place in an initial direction accompanied by the absorption of heat, means for transferring heat to said cell from a body, a second voltaic cell inter-communicating with said first cell wherein on flow of electricity said electrochemical reaction takes place in the reverse direction accompanied by emission of heat and means for transferring heat from said second cell to a second body.

'8. Apparatus for converting heat into electricity, which comprises a voltaic cell wherein a reversible electrochemical reaction occurs in an initial direction with a large change in entropy, means for transferring heat into said cell at an elevated temperature, means for passing a current through said cell in an initial direction, means for transferring heat from a second intercommunicating voltaic cell in which said electrochemical reaction occurs in a reverse direction and at a lower temperature, means for passing an electric current through said second cell at said lower temperature in a reverse direction and means for utilizing the net electric effect of the passage of said electric current.

9. Apparatus for producing refrigeration comprising a voltaic cell in which an electrochemical reaction occurs in such a primary direction as to absorb heat, means for transferring heat to said cell from a body to be cooled, a second intercommunicating voltaic cell wherein said reversible electrochemical reaction occurs in the reverse to said primary direction on the passage of current at an elevated temperature thereby producing .heat and means for transferring heat from said cell.

10. Apparatus for absorbing heat at a low temperature and emitting heat at a high temperature, comprising a voltaic cell wherein on flow of 13 electric current a reversible electrochemical reaction occurs at a lower temperature in an initial direction accompanied by the absorption of heat, means for transferring heat to said cell from a first body at a low temperature, a second intercommunicating voltaic cell wherein on flow of electricity said electrochemical reaction takes place in reverse direction at an elevated temperature accompanied by the emission of heat and means of transferring heat from said second cell to a second body at said elevated temperature.

11. Apparatus for conversion of heat and electricity comprising two similar reversible voltaic cells so connected that on passage of electric current a direct reaction will occur in one of said cells absorbing heat and the reverse reaction will occur in the other of said cells emitting heat, means for transferring heat to the first of said cells from a body, means for transferring heat from the second of said cells to a body, means for reversing the flow of electricity through said cells whereby heat is emitted from the first of said cells and heat is absorbed by the second of said cells, means of transferring heat from the first of said cells and means of transferring heat to the second of said cells.

12. Apparatus for the interconversion of heat and electricity comprising two similar reversible cells in one of which on the passage of electricity in a primary direction two gases are formed by the electrolysis of an electrolyte and in the other of which on the passage of electricity the two gases combine producing said electrolyte, means for passing said gases from the cell in which they are formed to the cell in which they are combined, means for passing the electrolyte from the cell in which it is formed to the cell in which it is electrolyzed, means for passing electric current through said cells, means for transferring heat between the first of said cells and a body and means for transferring heat between the second of said cells and a second body.

13. Means for refrigeration comprising a source of heat, means of transferring said heat to a first electrochemical cell in which a concentrated solution of hydrochloric acid is electrolyzed producing hydrogen gas and chlorine gas, means for transferring said hydrogen and chlorine gases to a second electrochemical cell wherein said gases on passage of electric current are combined to form hydrochloric acid, means for cooling said second cell, means for transferring said hydrochloric acid to said first cell, means for electrically connecting said cells in such a way that on absorbing of heat by said first cell current will flow through said cells, means for passing said current through an identical third cell in such a way that heat is given out in said third cell and heat is absorbed in a fourth identical cell, means for transferring heat into said fourth cell, means for transferring heat from said third cell, means for transferring hydrogen and chlorine gas formed in said fourth cell to said third cell and means for transferring hydrochloric acid from said third cell to said fourth cell on passage of current produced by the joint action of the first two cells.

14. Means for interconversion of heat and electricity comprising a lower cell, in which on passage of an electric current electrochemical reaction takes place producing reversibly from a primary electrolyte a gas and secondary electrolyte, means including a narrow tube for transferring said gas and said electrolyte by percolator action to an upper cell wherein the same reaction as occurs in the lower cell occurs in the reverse direction in the upper cell, thereby absorbing gas and secondary electrolyte and producing primary electrolyte, means for transferring primary electrolyte from upper cell to lower cell, means for transferring heat between said upper cell and a body, means for transferring heat between said lower cell and a body and means for the passage of an electric current through said cells.

FRANCIS R. BICHOWSKY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 484,182 Dewey Oct. 11, 1892 1,120,781 Altenkirch et al. Dec. 15, 1914 1,717,584 Ruben June 18, 1929 1,804,072 Turrettini May 5, 1931 1,818,437 Stuart Aug. 11, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 494,811 Germany May 18, 1930 

